Hero MotoSports Team Rally Off to Strong Start in Rally Raid Portugal 2026 Prologue

Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the powerhouse racing outfit from India's Hero MotoCorp, wasted no time making its mark in this FIM World Rally-Raid Championship showdown. Riders Ross Branch and Nacho Cornejo tackled the sandy, hardpack mix with precision, grabbing key spots in the cutthroat RallyGP class.

Branch nailed the 10th fastest time overall, trailing winner Daniel Sanders of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing by just eight seconds. Cornejo slotted in 21st, 20 seconds back, with both riders raving about their Hero machines' razor-sharp handling against giants like Honda and KTM. It's a tactical launch that has the team buzzing ahead of the rain-swept battles to come.

Prologue Highlights

The prologue delivered edge-of-your-seat drama, with Sanders pipping Tosha Schareina by a mere one second and Ricky Brabec rounding out the top three. Among the nine RallyGP entries from 44 FIM bikes that cleared scrutineering, Branch shook off a minor early wobble to crack the top 10, showcasing Hero's growing bite in elite company.

Cornejo savored the sandy-carpet blend, building pace without forcing it. Their clean sheets position Hero favorably against foes like Monster Energy Honda HRC, especially with weather forecasts hinting at storms that could shuffle the pack.

Event at a Glance

This third edition of the bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal, running March 17-22, packs 2,201 km of punishment: 1,269 km of timed specials and 932 km of liaisons. The revamped route hugs Portugal's Atlantic coast, ventures into Spain's Extremadura, and climaxes in the Algarve. Day 1's Grândola loop dives into Dakar-esque sand before border-hopping on fresh tracks, blending hardpack hills with endurance tests.

Team Strategy and Preparation

Team manager Wolfgang Fischer praised the squad's sharp prep, noting Branch's full recovery from Dakar. "We're primed for this W2RC Round 2, ready to adapt to rain while soaking up Portuguese fan energy," he said, targeting big points across the terrain mix.

Also Read: Hero MotoCorp shows a record 44% growth with 5.58 lakh units sold in February 2026

Conclusion

As Hero MotoSports Team Rally revs up for the epic stages ahead, Ross Branch and Nacho Cornejo's sharp prologue showing signals bigger things in Rally Raid Portugal 2026. With Hero bikes primed against the storms and rivals, this Indian powerhouse is charging toward W2RC glory.